Did Red Bull sign Sergio Perez too soon?

Before the Canadian Grand Prix, news broke out that Sergio Perez would stay with the team until at least 2026 but have they done this too soon?

Feature image credit: Red Bull Content Pool

‘Continuity and stability’ was Christian Horner’s reasoning behind keeping Perez on Red Bull’s roster for the 2025 driver line-up. The continuity is clear as day, Perez stays as Verstappen’s teammate, but the stability isn’t so cut and dry. 

The headline statement: ‘Did Red Bull sign Sergo Perez too soon,’ is not much of a statement, but rather a simple question. Based on Perez’s recent performances, did the team extend the contract well before they should’ve? Regardless if the result was the same or not.

Red Bull’s championship contenders; the RB18, RB19 have been the class of the field securing consecutive drivers and constructors championship titles. It looks likely that the current RB20 will follow in its predecessor’s wheel tracks.

Despite this, Perez has not been performing equally to his triple-world champion teammate. 

In the opening races, there has not been much for the #11 Red Bull to write home about apart from a selection of second-place finishes. In Australia, Perez could not capitalise on Verstappen’s misfortunes when the reigning champion retired due to brake problems, finishing outside the podium that race (5th). 

The Mexican driver currently occupies the fifth in the drivers standings, he is the only driver – inside the top five – without a win to his name in 2024, whereas Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz all have at least one.

More recently, Perez’s performance has been underwhelming compared to Verstappen’s. The #11 Red Bull has failed to reach Q3 in the last three races, with Q1 eliminations in the last two (Monaco and Canada). 

In addition, he has DNF’d in the two races where he was eliminated out of Q1. Understandably, the Monaco DNF was not his fault. 

As a result, combined with a for Ferrari and McLaren, it means the two teams have managed to close the gap to the reigning world champions. 

While it’s unclear if Red Bull has signed too soon, Perez’s extension gives the team continuity with their line-up, but it hasn’t provided stability. The next few races should give us a clearer picture of the Milton Keynes team signed too early. 

Read more Formula 1 here:

• RB utilise option to keep Tsunoda for 2025
• Russell takes Canadian GP F1 pole with identical lap time
• Hamilton heads FP3 order ahead of Verstappen at Canadian GP
• FIA reveal 2026 F1 Regulations
• Wet weather predicted for the Canadian Grand Prix
• Red Bull keep Perez with new 2-year F1 contract extension

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